Happy New Writing Year

short story

I'm delighted that one of my short stories is published today in 'The Incubator' journal.


https://theincubatorjournal.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/the-incubator-issue-11.pdf

Christmas at Coney

I'm just back from a lovely morning with my writing chums in Coney Island. After catching up, sharing news, writing and planning for next year's writing we enjoyed a gorgeous Christmas dinner. Here's to a successful 2017 packed full of writing for all of us!

Farewell November and NaNoWriMo 2016

Phew! I've finished! It's over! I actually managed to complete this writing exercise this year. It has been quite a challenge, finding time each day to sit down and write, amidst the busyness that is life. I've attempted it twice before and have given up mid way through the month on both previous occasions. This time round I knew that if I could keep going beyond the mid month point there was every chance I would be able to complete it. There is no doubt it takes hard work and determination. There have been days when I've stared at the screen willing the words to come out. There have been days when I've been so tired my eyes hurt. But there have also been days when I couldn't stop writing, when I was on a roll and the ideas and words kept flowing. What I find amazing about the whole process is that while I had a rough idea of the story when I started, I had no idea who all the characters would be, how the story would unfold or how it would end.
I didn't sign up to do this through the NaNoWriMo official site. Instead I chose to do it my way. My target was to write over 1000 words a day, aiming for 40,000 words in total. I'm pleased to say I've achieved both targets.
The main thing is I now have a very rough draft of a novel.
Now the fun part starts - re-writing and editing! :-)

Still writing.....Still on track.....

I'm delighted that I'm still participating in this year's NaNoWriMo, after three weeks. Today I reached the 30,000 word mark. Hopefully I can keep this writing discipline going for the next week and a bit and see it through to the end of the month. it's a very, very, rough draft, but I'm delighted it's beginning to take shape.

Writing workshop with Sheena Wilkinson

http://eastsidearts.net/event/taking-your-imagination-walk-writing-workshop-sheena-Wilkinson


I really enjoyed taking part in this writing workshop led by Sheena Wilkinson as part of the CS Lewis Festival in Belfast this morning. Sheena, you worked us hard, but it was good fun, inspiring and has given me a few ideas which I can integrate into my writing.

I also enjoyed the chat over lunch with fellow writers Yvonne and Mairi and Sheena afterwards.

Persistence pays off

I was delighted to hear today that I've won second prize in a writing competition - it was a national children's writing competition organised by the Society of Civil and Public Service Writers (though this competition was open to anyone). The story - 'Left Footed Lionel' - was penned in Coney Island during our writing retreat there this summer! I'm well chuffed!


http://scpsw.co.uk/index.php

Day 15 NaNoWriMo

So it's now Day 15 in NaNoWriMo - the half way point. I'm still aiming for 1000 words a day and so far I've stuck to this discipline and achieved this target every day. I've now reached just over 20,000 words and while the story is still taking shape, as it twists and turns more intrigue develops each day. This is the third time I've participated in this writing challenge and the most I've ever written as part of it. There's no doubt it is hard work, but at this point I'm still enjoying the process and so far have only had one writing episode where I experienced writer's block for a short time. Let's hope the next 15 days are as productive!

self publishing workshop

https://shirleyannemcmillan.com/

I thoroughly enjoyed Shirley's workshop on Self publishing today with Yvonne and Maddie at The Black Box - It was a very insightful, honest account of the pros and cons of self publishing. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

NaNoWriMo progress

It's Day 9 of National Novel Writing Month - or NaNoWriMo as it's known. It's an initiative to try to help writers write the first draft of a novel in a month. This is the third time I've tried it and in other years have kept at it until mid way through the month, when life has taken over. So far this year I've managed to be disciplined and write a bit every day. I'm not aiming for 50,000 words by the end of the month, but I am trying to write at least 1000 a day and so far I've made it to 12,023.

BookweekNI

It's been a great BookWeekNI! I'm still on target with my writng every day as part of NaNoWriMo. I was at Anthony Quinn and William Ryan's book launch at No Alibis, Belfast on Friday night. Yesterday I was back at my writing group in Coney Island. And I've managed to fit in some reading too! It doesn't get much better than this - apart from it being my own book launch of course

Anthony Quinn's book launch at No Alibis

https://twitter.com/ShaunaReports/status/794610447391588352
More inspiration from another successful local author tonight.

I enjoyed being at Anthony Quinn's book launch at 'No Alibis' bookshop tonight. Being in the company of successful writers is always inspiring, and being in the company of would-be successful writers even more so. Great to see fellow writers from Coney Maddie, Yvonne and Rhonda there and enjoy a chat over coffee. It was also lovely to meet successful author Orla McAlinden in person - having chatted online and to see Anthony again.

New month, new writing

http://nanowrimo.org/en/regions/europe-northern-Ireland
So it's started for another year - Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing Month - and I'm having a go again this year. It's Day 2 and so far I've managed to reach my target word count on each day. Let's hope I can sustain it....

Inspiration from successful Irish writer

I enjoyed a lovely evening at Carrickfergus library last night listening to Sheila O'Flanagan talking about her writing. It's great to hear writers talking about their writing journey, their writing day and their inspiration and craft.

Coney writers out and about

Lovely to catch up with Coney writers in a different venue this morning at the Crescent Arts centre, Belfast, enjoy chatting over coffee and tray-bakes and see Lucy's poetry exhibition. It's good to be in a supportive writing group - I think we sometimes don't realise how lucky we are in it. I couldn't resist taking a photo of this sign outside No Alibis bookshop on our way to lunch.

 

Can definitely identify with this!

Now and Then

I really enjoyed participating in this year's Bangor Poetry competition. It was great to take part in it - from developing the first draft of each poem, reworking and editing then submitting them, to waiting to hear if I'd been shortlisted or rejected and dealing with the mixed emotions of the process.

Then to decide how to present each poem as an eye-catching piece of art to hang in the gallery- a very new experience for me. Choosing the frame and medium, colour and textures and deciding what details to include were part of the challenge.

The next part was viewing all the poems on the launch night and being awestruck by the talent of our local writers and the crowd who showed up to view them. Then the votes were cast and the winners announced, prizes and certificates distributed. For me, the highlight was tonight - meeting the lady who liked one of my poems so much she bought it to hang on her wall.

All part of the experience of my writing journey.

The votes are in....

The votes have been cast in this year's Bangor poetry competition. Alas, I'm not  a prize winner, but I'm delighted to have been shortlisted and part of the competition.

Tonight it was a pleasure to meet the lovely lady who purchased a smaller version of my poem 'Now and Then' at The Blackberry Path Art Studio in Bangor.

It's inspiring as a writer when you learn your writing has touched someone, and it means more when it's someone you had never connected with before. Thank you.

A huge 'thanks' for organising this event to Amy and Paul.

opening hours at Bangor poetry competition

https://www.facebook.com/theblackberrypath/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE

Back at Coney

Great being back at a soggy Coney Island today. Seasonal blackberry and ginger muffins were perfect for writing fuel. We are so fortunate to be part of such a supportive, creative, talented and encouraging wee writing group.

Public hangings

Just dropped off my framed, signed, handwritten poems at the Blackberry Path Art Studio in Bangor where they have been shortlisted in the 4th Annual Bangor Poetry competition. Opening night is this Friday 2nd September 7-9pm in the studio where there will be drinks and nibbles, readings and voting. Public voting takes place from 2nd - 16th September. If you're free and in the area please drop in.

The writing retreat bears fruit

I'm delighted that two of the poems I penned at Coney Island last week have been selected as part of the 4th Annual Bangor Poetry Competition as part of Aspects Festival.


https://www.facebook.com/events/1770173323197663/1781812852033710/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1471858212826142

Really looking forward to this event next month.

writing retreat

I'm just back from a well-earned rest and relaxation at a writing retreat. The destination? - why Coney Island, of course!

How could anyone not be inspired in glorious weather in such a beautiful place?

 

 

We were very blessed with good weather, good company, good food and good writing.

 



and lots of giggles along the way.....

Summer writing

Does anyone else find it more difficult writing in the summer than at other times of the year? 
To me there are so many distractions outside, longer hours of daylight to be enjoyed and I seem to have more energy to do more.
So today's writing is rather functional and seasonal, albeit still creative!

And it will be enjoyed throughout the coming year!

The wrting is on the wall....

Having fun writing on the walls in my study tonight!

These wall stickers from Ikea are great

If only writing the 'real thing' was so quick!

 

New inspiration in Coney Island

There's always something new to discover in Coney Island - today it was a 'living wall'. For such a small place creativity abounds! It's always good to be back there with fellow writers and encourage each other in the creative process we love. Good to see Maddie, Yvonne,  Moira and Jo again today.

An extra zing in the writing fuel

More ginger added to today's rhubarb and ginger muffins. A bit more zing to help Coney writers with their writing!

Read 'What does a big coo do?'

You can read more about Haggis McCoo's adventures here in 'What does a big coo do?'


https://thelaunchpadjournal.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/link-for-printed-copies-of-issue-2/

SCWBI SCWBI DOO!

Enjoyed my first SCWBI meeting this morning in the Linenhall Library - it was great having a chat with other writers and sharing our experiences. Lovely to see Moira and chat with Paula Matthews and Sheena Wilkinson. It's always good to network and support each other

My local Little Free Library

Spotted another Little Free Library last night at Theatre at the Mill, Mossley - it's probably my local Little Free Library

Summer theatre at it's best

Lovely evening enjoying outdoor theatre at it's best - Sense and Sensibility with my Mum and bestie. I never tire of Jane Austen and Chapter House productions were excellent as always

Issue 2 of The Launchpad is now out!

https://issuu.com/paulamatthews/docs/launchpad_issue_2

Issue 2 of The Launchpad came out today. I'm delighted to be part of it again. You can find a couple of my poems included in it - one featuring Haggis

Next edition of The Launchpad on its way

Looking forward to Issue 2 of The Launchpad

https://thelaunchpadjournal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/special-edition-for-fathers-day/

Back at Coney island

It was lovely being down in Coney Island again this morning - the sun shines there when the rest of the country has hail and thunderstorms! Good to hear the short stories written and see fellow writing pals Maddie, Mairi, Rhonda, Yvonne and Fionnuala.

Library books

I've heard about these 'Free wee libraries' springing up all over the country. This one in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow caught my attention this week.

The Meeting of the Waters

It's always good to get away for a few days, go somewhere else and be inspired. I'm just back from a few days in Co. Wicklow. There's no end to the inspiration there...with the beautiful scenery and lush green vegetation just springing full of life at the moment. it was interesting to see how and where others have been inspired to write.

 

 

This spot is where Thomas Moore was inspired to write 'The Meeting of the Waters' - a truly beautiful, peaceful spot.

 

 

Writing historical fiction

Really enjoyed this event in Finaghy library tonight - Lia Mills, Catherine Dunne and Martina Devlin talking about writing historical fiction. Great inspiration and encouragement!

Mandy Bryson (@MandyBryson) tweeted at 6:59 PM on Mon, Apr 25, 2016: Martina @DevlinMartina reads extract from The house where it happened set in Larne. @LibrariesNI #2cities1book event https://t.co/flPeUHAy5W (https://twitter.com/MandyBryson/status/724659124521295872?s=02) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

Writers at Coney Island

 

Writers at Coney reading about themselves writing in the January/ February edition of Celtic Life International magazine.

 

 

 

It was great being back at Coney Island at the weekend. The sunshine blasted through the window while it was snowing in Belfast. It was great to see everyone, to hear their news and share our writing experiences since we last met.

Attending the clinic...

Coffee, chat, chums and critical feedback :-) - what a lovely way to indulge on World Poetry Day! This morning I had the pleasure of spending time in Belfast Central library. I have spent many a long hour there years ago as a student, but today was much more enjoyable. I attended Anthony Quinn's writing clinic and picked up helpful tips for developing characters. I received encouraging feedback and have exciting new writing exercises to get stuck into. Now to get stuck in :-)

Anthony J Quinn creative writing seminar

Interesting afternoon at the Anthony Quinn creative writing seminar in Carrickfergus library today.It was all the more enjoyable as I bumped into one of my writing pals, Yvonne, as soon as I arrived in the library!

He read from his work, spoke about the importance of landscape in his detective novels set in NI, his journey to get published, trying to write everyday and how having busy lives makes us better writers. Looking forward to my writing clinic appointment with him in a couple of weeks.

Colouring competition winners!

 

 

 

 

Haggis loved seeing all the pictures you sent in of him in the recent colouring competition.










Congratulations to Tom (age 9-12 winner), Jamie (age 5-8 winner) and Jack (age 2-4 winner)!

Don't forget the colouring competition - closing date 29th February

For all those who attended the launch of The Launchpad at Common Grounds a couple of weeks ago, don't forget there's still time to enter the Hungry Haggis colouring competition. Haggis is loving seeing his pictures. Closing date is Monday 29th February. Good luck!

"Keep the competition entries coming in please," says Haggis

Hungry Haggis out and about at Coney Island

Haggis enjoyed being down at Coney Island yesterday with the Writers at Coney group. For most of the time his behaviour was impeccable. He has now polished off the leftover chocanana muffins. #HungryHaggis

February book club

It's great being part of a book club. Reading is just as important as writing. This month's Book Club book arrived today :-)